Salient points of Hon'ble Union Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat’s Press Conference
Under the leadership of Honorable Prime Minister Shri NarendraModi, the emphasis on infrastructure development propelled India's economy to unprecedented levels
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India's status as the world's fastest-growing economy is attributed to its consistent and escalating investments in infrastructure, as highlighted by numerous studies
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The joint report by the United Nations Development Programme, Oxford University, and NITI Aayog acknowledged that due to the government's efforts in the past decade, 25 crore people have risen above the poverty line
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Schemes like SaubhagyaYojana and DeenDayal Gram JyotiYojna, implemented under the leadership of PM Shri NarendraModi, led to the electrification of more than 18,400 villages and panchayats within 1000 days
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If the pace of railway line electrification continued as it did during the UPA government, it would take 70 years to electrify all railway tracks
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Under the leadership of PM Shri NarendraModi, substantial efforts have been dedicated to the development of metro rails, positioning India as the third-largest metro network globally
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A press conference was conducted at 12, Akbar Road, New Delhi, by Union Minister and Senior BJP Leader Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. During the press conference he noted that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India has witnessed unprecedented strides in infrastructure development and economic growth over the past decade. From enhancing transportation networks to revolutionizing energy and technology sectors, India is poised to emerge as a global leader in sustainable development and progress.
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat conveyed that over the past 10 years, during Prime Minister Shri NarendraModi's tenure, the resolve he expressed regarding the goal of developing the country was that the people of the nation have provided him with the fortunate opportunity not just to govern the country but to transform it, to change it. At that time, Shri NarendraModimade it clear that the path to transforming the country lies not only in bringing change to the lives of villages, the poor, the oppressed, the deprived, the marginalized, and the Dalits but also in strengthening the country's fundamental institutions to build the future of a prosperous India.
Senior Leader of BhartiyaJanta Party, ShriShekhawat stated that if one were to look back after ten years, it could be seen that the Modi government had been successful in bringing about changes in the lives of the poor. Due to the efforts made by the government in the past decade, according to a joint report by the United Nations Development Programme, Oxford University, and NITI Aayog, it was stated that 25 crore people had risen above the poverty line and had been fortunate enough to live a prosperous life either as lower-middle class or middle-class.
Shri Shekhawat highlighted that India has demonstrated the dawn of a new era of revolutionary infrastructure development. Shri Narendra Modi's clear vision emphasizes that in the journey of development of any country, rather than merely considering infrastructure construction as a means of evaluation, it should serve as a means of sustainable growth and inclusive development. He cited a former United States President, “It would not be appropriate to say that America's roads are better because it became economically prosperous. The reality is that America's roads were better, and that is why it could become economically prosperous.”
Shri Gajendra Singh emphasized that Prime Minister Shri NarendraModi has also set the goal of developing the country by the year 2047, undoubtedly he would have announced it in 2023 when India entered the Amrit Kaal, marking the completion of 75 years of independence. However, it must be acknowledged by all that the preparation for this goal began with the assumption of office by the government in 2014.
Union Minister Shri Shekhawat noted that in the series of building infrastructure, where the government under the leadership of Shri NarendraModi has worked on various components such as roads, railways, waterways, airways, data ways, energy, and satellites on all these fronts, it can be said that a revolution in infrastructure reconstruction is underway in this country under Shri NarendraModi's leadership. In the past nine years, the Indian government has spent ₹34 lakh crore on infrastructure construction, and in the last 1 year, the Indian Government has invested ₹10 lakh crore on building infrastructure, which is multiple times more in comparison to 2013-14. This year also in the budget, the Hon’ble Finance Minister has made provisions of ₹11 lakh crore on capital expenditure. If the economic world is to be studied, according to its definition or assessment, then the amount spent on infrastructure has a 2.45 times impact on that year's GDP and is 3.5 times productive in the cascading years.
Shri Shekhawat observed that according to studies by the RBI, every rupee allocated to capital expenditure boosts productivity by 3.25 rupees. Under the leadership of Honorable Prime Minister Shri NarendraModi, the emphasis on infrastructure development propelled India's economy to unprecedented levels.Numerous studies indicate that India has emerged as the world's fastest-growing economy primarily because it has not merely invested in infrastructure but has consistently escalated such investments. This sustained increase in infrastructure spending has instilled confidence in the economy's prospects, leading to India's remarkable ascent as the global leader in economic growth. He noted that during his tenure, the Honorable Prime Minister Shri AtalBihari Vajpayee envisioned the development of rural areas through the construction of roads, leading to the initiation of the Pradhan Mantri Gram SadakYojana. Over the past nine years under the leadership of Honorable Prime Minister Shri NarendraModi, approximately four lakh kilometers of new rural roads have been constructed, furthering this vision of connecting villages and fostering rural development. Before the tenure of the Honorable Prime Minister, the length of the country's national highways stood at 90,000 kilometers, a milestone achieved over 67 years. However, under the leadership of the Honorable Prime Minister, this figure has surged by 56%, reaching a remarkable length of 1,46,000 kilometers, signifying substantial growth and development in the nation's infrastructure within a relatively short span of time.
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat stated that the construction of dedicated freight corridors and expressways is progressing rapidly. The government is committed to accelerating this momentum further, envisioning a developed India in the near future. Over the past decade, the length of four-lane expressways in the country has surged by 2.5 times, reflecting a significant enhancement in the nation's transportation infrastructure. The length of the High-Speed Corridor has experienced an exponential increase, expanding eightfold to reach 4000 kilometers, compared to its earlier span of only 500 kilometers. Concurrently, while airfares have been reduced to facilitate air travel for the common citizens, the nation has witnessed an unprecedented leap in enhancing airport connectivity over the past nine years. The number of functional airports in the country has undergone a significant transformation, doubling from a mere 74 to a commendable 150. In parallel efforts to expand the nation's waterways infrastructure, the government has undertaken initiatives such as the Sagar Mala Project to enhance the efficiency and capacity of the country's ports. The Honorable Prime Minister's vision underscores the significance of our coastal areas as pivotal gateways to development. By prioritizing infrastructure enhancements in these regions, we can empower them to serve as catalysts for achieving our goals of economic development and prosperity.
Senior BJP Leader Shri Shekhawa noted that efforts have been dedicated to enhancing the efficiency and operational capacity of existing ports across the country, alongside the establishment of new ports. Thanks to modernization initiatives, the cargo handling capacity of major ports has doubled, signifying substantial progress in port infrastructure. Additionally, the number of inland waterways in the country has increased, with ongoing endeavors to identify and develop over a hundred new inland waterways, thereby facilitating smoother transportation and bolstering connectivity nationwide.
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat highlighted the remarkable progress in the Railways over the past decade under the effective leadership of Prime Minister Shri NarendraModi. The country has witnessed unprecedented growth, including the introduction of modern semi-high-speed trains like Vande Bharat and Namo Bharat. Additionally, the electrification of railway tracks, a previously unimaginable feat, has reached almost 90%. Shri Shekhawat highlighted that in his LokSabha 'Motion of Thanks' speech, PM Shri NarendraModi emphasized the significance of electrification, stating that if the pace continued as it did during the UPA government, it would take 70 years to electrify all railway tracks. The construction of new railway lines aimed at alleviating congestion, along with the development of modern coaches and railway stations, has been regarded as a revolutionary transformation in the country.
Shri Shekhawat highlighted the commencement of a new era of development with the construction of railway stations on the lines of airports. Over the past decade, significant efforts by PM Shri NarendraModi have been directed towards the development of metro rails, positioning India as the third-largest metro network globally. Shri Shekhawat noted that initiatives aimed at connecting every village with broadband and enhancing data connectivity have proven effective at the grassroots level. The government's schemes have played a crucial role in strengthening mobile communication, evident in the proliferation of multiple towers and the successful rollout of indigenous 5G technology, leading to improved data connectivity and lower data prices.
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat highlighted the significant strides made in the energy sector under the leadership of PM Shri NarendraModi. The strengthening of the energy transmission network, grid improvement, and sustainability initiatives have contributed to enhanced power supply across the country. Shri Shekhawat recalled that in 2014 when the entire parliament was celebrating the success of Mission Mangalyaan. He raised the pressing issue of the absence of electricity in West Rajasthan. Expressing appreciation for PM Shri NarendraModi, Shri Shekhawat credited schemes like SaubhagyaYojana and DeenDayal Gram JyotiYojna under which within 1000 days, the initiatives facilitated the electrification of more than 18,400 villages and panchayats, playing a pivotal role in the commitment to provide electricity to every home.
Shri Shekhawat highlighted the strategic focus on future electricity needs. Emphasizing grid stabilization and strengthening efforts, the Government of India, through IPDS schemes, aimed to strengthen the electricity supply infrastructure in various states. Simultaneously, India has also emerged as a rising star in the fields of solar and wind energy on the global map.
Shri Shekhawat emphasized the commitment to reduce dependence on hydrocarbon fuels and promote green alternatives under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri NarendraModi. India has not only announced but has actively worked on its green hydrogen production policy, swiftly moving towards blending hydrocarbon fuels. This initiative positions India among countries that are leading the way in green energy development. Shri Shekhawat noted that PM Shri NarendraModi's steps in constructing green hydrogen and promoting renewable energy would not only fulfill the country's energy needs but also establish India as a key global exporter of diverse energy sources.
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat highlighted that under the leadership of PM Shri NarendraModi, India became the number one country in satellite launching, emphasizing efforts to open up public investment in this sector through privatization. India's achievements in various sectors have positioned it as the fastest-growing economy globally, aligning with the goal of 'Viksit Bharat 2047' set by Prime Minister Shri NarendraModi.
Shri Shekhawat highlighted that the roadmap for India's reconstruction under the leadership of Shri NarendraModi, and the way infrastructure development is happening in every component of infrastructure towards making India Developed, undoubtedly instills confidence and trust that India is not only fulfilling its own needs through the development of infrastructure today but is also charting a new direction for global development. Today, as India progresses in mission mode, building infrastructure in line with the needs of the 21st century, it is certain that this development of India will be extremely significant for the world.
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat concluded his address by expressing that the way India has developed in various other sectors, the nation is emerging as a significant contributor to the world today, for global development, and to fulfill the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. Shri Shekhawat expressed that today, everybody is not only seeing but also experiencing the changing image of India, and the entire world is acknowledging it.
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